Summer time: Let’s go to a French Festival

From June to September all over France, open air festivals take place, replacing the crowded concert halls of winter. Let’s explore some of the best festivals to attend across the channel. They are excellent opportunities to spend time with your friends and family in France.

Let me start with one of the most anticipated festivals in France, which takes place in the neighbourhood of Saint-Juan-Les-Pins in Antibes. From the 11^th July to 20^th July, the town will host the 54^th edition of the Jazz à Juan Festival. It is the largest Jazz Festival in Europe and was started in July 1960. Throughout the years, the festival has welcomed prestigious jazzmen like Ray Charles, Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington and Miles Davis; it is seen as a great honour to play at Jazz à Juan.

The festival is a real shared moment between the audience and the artist. It’s a great atmosphere and you certainly don’t have to be an expert to attend the festival. Since 2000, the Jazz à Juan Festival has not been solely dedicated to jazz music; these days several funk and rock musicians are also invited to the Pinède Gloud stage. In 2012, for instance, Kool & The Gang, Charlie Winston and even Tom Jones performed in Antibes. Today, Jazz à Juan offers a mix of (mostly) Jazz and American music but the spirit of Jazz is certainly at the heart of it all. Artists due to perform at the 54^th edition include: Stevie Wonder, Beth Hart, Stacey Kent, Jon Rengen, Manu Katché, Richard Bona, Eric Legnini and Stefano Di Battista and many more…

If you’re looking for your perfect property close to Antibes, we may have just what you’re looking for. This villa is only 3.5 miles (6 km) from Antibes, with a swimming pool to enjoy the excellent weather of the French Riviera. It’s excellently located with lots of bars, cafes, boutiques and restaurants very close by.

The Jazz à Juan festival in Antibes is just one of many exciting events taking place this summer in the south of France. Now, let me introduce to you some other festivals all over France:

Staying on the French Riviera, there is a festival called “Crazy Week” which takes place in Nice : enjoy sea, sun and music for the Crazy Week festival, from the 17th of July to the 21st of July.

Moving westerly to the Basque Coast, we have the Big Festival (this is actually its name!) which takes place from 18^th July to 22^nd July in Biarritz. Joey Starr, M83, Pete Doherty, Birdy Nam Nam and others are invited for everybody’s aural pleasure. Moreover, Biarritz is well-known for its surfing scene, so you can enjoy the beaches in the afternoons!

Another festival worth attending this summer is … ‘Les Vieilles Charrues’ (‘the Old Plough’). This may be the most famous festival for young French people, a Gallic equivalent to Glastonbury, which takes place in Brittany from 19^th July to 22^nd July. With Bob Dylan, The Cure and Orelsan heading up the line-up, there will be a varied musical presence!

If you happen to be on the Atlantic Coast from the 10^th of July to the 14^th of July, head to Les Francofolies in La Rochelle, which a typical French music festival.

For those visiting the French capital, I recommend you go to Rock en Seine, which takes place in the month of August, in Saint Cloud, near Paris.

If you need more information about regions in France or properties that Sextant French Properties can offer you, please contact us at [email protected].